Braves basketball opens full-team practice with a spirited effort

Bradley men’s basketball tipped off its first full-team September practice Saturday on Mitchell “J.J.” Anderson Court with seven new faces among the 16-man roster.

Until full-scale preseason workouts begin Oct. 12, Division I coaches are allowed two hours per week to work with their entire squads aside from regular individual workouts.

Dave Reynolds

Bradley men’s basketball tipped off its first full-team September practice Saturday on Mitchell “J.J.” Anderson Court with seven new faces among the 16-man roster.

Until full-scale preseason workouts begin Oct. 12, Division I coaches are allowed two hours per week to work with their entire squads aside from regular individual workouts.

BU coach Geno Ford was happy with the 90-minute practice, which did not include senior forward Milos Knezevic, who has a Saturday class.

“Overall, I was pleased with Day 1,” Ford said. “We’ve got better size and physicalness and guys are moving at a better rate of speed.”

The seven newcomers include two immediately eligible scholarship players — junior college transfer forward Tyshon Pickett and freshman guard Ka’Darryl Bell. Pickett was slowed Saturday by a sprained ankle he suffered in a Friday scrimmage.

There are two transfer guards who must sit out this season — point guard Anthony Fields from Wake Forest and shooting guard Omari Grier.

Also joining the action were three walk-ons — guards Jimmy Gavin, Mason Alwan and Darrion Harris.

“Our three focuses we’ve tried to get our kids to zero in on are effort, emotion and execution,” Ford said. “I liked our effort. I liked our emotional level today. I thought we really competed hard. It’s easy to be highly charged emotionally on Day 1. If you’re not, you’re dead in the water.

“Execution wasn’t great. But it’s one practice.”

The two recruits Bradley hosted this week on official visits departed Saturday morning.

Serbian 6-foot-5 guard Stefan Zecevic, who will play this season at Lee Academy (Maine) prep school, orally committed to BU and will have four years of eligibility beginning in the 2013-14 season.

Carter Evans, a 6-10 senior at Rochester (Minn.) Century, left with an offer, but is still considering his options. He also has scholarship offers from San Jose State, New Hampshire and Presbyterian.

Scheduled to visit BU next week is 6-7 Chris Carter from Wake Tech Community College in Raleigh, N.C.

The Braves will have four scholarships to give for the 2013-14 season.

Dave Reynolds can be reached at 686-3210 or dreynolds@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @davereynolds2.